Name: AFNAN RASHID AL ZAYANI
Profession: Businesswoman
Qualification: 1973 – 1975, The American University of Beirut, majoring in Food
Technology and Nutrition School of Agriculture.
1976 – 1977, Bachelor of Science in Food Technology; School of Agriculture,
Texas Technical University, USA.
Experience: 33 years
Present Positions:
- President and Proprietor of Al Zayani Commercial Services S.P.C.
Since 1999, company established in 1980. [Website: www.alzayanicomm.com]
- Office Automation Division
- Trading & Tendering Division
- Tree of Life [producing artificial trees, plants, palm trees].
- Partner and Director of Martinizing Laundry & Dry Cleaners.
- President of Bahrain Businesswomen Society 2002 – 2004
- Board Member and Head of Coordination & Follow-up Committee at Bahrain Businesswomen Society 2004 - 2008.
- Founding Board Member and Secretary to the Board of Directors at Bahrain Businessmen’s Association.
- Director of Al Ayam Press, Printing & Publishing
- Board Member and Head of Bahrain Businesswomen Committee at Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry 26 – 27 (2009 – 2013)
- Member of Gulf Businesswomen Committee in Federation of G.C.C Chambers.
- Representing Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Committee for “H.H. Shaikha Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Award” for Women Empowerment.
- Founding member of Bahrain Competitiveness Council
- Member of FTA committee at Bahrain Economic Board
- Member of Arab Women Labour Committee 2006 – 2008 reelected 2008-2010
- Board Member of Private Sector Development Association
- Member and Head of the Economic Empowerment of Bahraini Women at The Supreme Council for Women in Bahrain.
- President of MENA Businesswomen Network.
Others:
Author of Cookery Books, namely:
- Al Soofrah Al Khaleejiah (1983) – 8th edition was released in 2007
- A Taste of the Arabian Gulf (1988) – 2nd edition was released in 2002- 3rd edition released in 2009.
- Ma Lath Wa Tab (1994) – 2nd edition was released in 2003
- Lathiyath Afnan – released in 2004
- Afnaniyat – released in 2009
Presenter of T.V. Cookery Programmes since 1986, namely:
- Al Soofrah Al Khaleejiah – Bahrain T.V. (1986)
- Eat Smart – Bahrain T.V. (1996)
- Taibat - Bahrain T.V. (1997)
- Gulf Delights – Bahrain T.V. (1998)
- Lathiyath - I, II, III, IV & V – Bahrain T.V. (1999 – 2003)
- Awafi 2005 – Qatar T.V. (2005)
- Seha Wa Afia – Qatar T.V. (2006)
- Ramadan Atyab – MBC (2007)
- Afnanniyat - Qatar T.V. (2008)
Judge at Major Food Events:
- Indian Ladies Association
- MEFEX (Middle East Food Exhibition)
- National Heritage Festival
- “One Million Dates Cake”
National Awards & Achievements:
- 1977 - Ministry of Education, Honours Award.
- 1992 – National Achievement Award.
- 2004 – Best Business Professional in the Middle East Award
- 2005 – Selected as one of the 50 top women in the Middle East by Forbes Magazine.
- 2007 – Ranked 88th in the list of the world’s most powerful Arabs (Power 100) by Arabian Business.
- 2007 - Appreciation Award for “Innovative Approach to Business” for Cookery Programme Sector, presented by H.H. Shaikha Sabeeka bint Ebrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of H.M The King & Chairperson of The Supreme Council for Women, organized by The Council of Arab Businesswomen.
- 2009 – BIZZ Award 2009 from World Confederation of Business (WCB) in Canada.
- 2009 – World of Difference 100 Award from the International Alliance for women.
- Received Gourmand world cookbook awards 2009 for her latest publication Afnaniyat as the best Arabic Cookbook.
- Selected as a Businesswomen’s by Business News Magazine published in March 2010
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